400 AD sword choice?

[Caballo]

I'd like to tap into the (Late Roman) RAT collective brain and ask what would be the most appropriate sword hilt and scabbard design for a 400 AD soldier- say based on the Saxon Shore?

Any pictures/ drawings would be particularly helpful!

Thanks in advance,

Caballo

[brennivs - tony drake]

I will see what I can dig up need to scan though
Regards Brennivs

[Salvianus]

Mine is of Germanic Type I style. I believe finds more typically have metal plates enclosing the guard and pommel and would normally have a 3-rivet box chape. I've left it without so that I can use it over a wider period.

http://pics.livejournal.com/salvianus/pic/000degg3/g43

http://pics.livejournal.com/salvianus/pic/000ddcfy/g43

[Caballo]

Very nice, Salvianus! Is that one of Steve's?

[Salvianus]

Yes, I already had the blade and Stephen re-profiled the point and made and fitted all the wooden fittings. His woodwork is superb and his own blades look even better!

[John Conyard]

A close up picture of one of Stephen's pattern welded blades is on the Comitatus events page, for the Ryedale event earlier this year. I use it in a Germanic Type I hilt because it is a very long lived design. These were generally left as simple simple organic hilts, but were sometimes covered in silver or gold foil. An alternative hilt would be a generic simple spatha design. But you can vary the wood used in the hilt. I like walnut for "Roman" hilts, and ash, elm and birch in "Germanic" hilts. I use both designs, but vary the scabbards and sword belts depending on the dateline I'm representing.

Good luck with your design.

[brennivs - tony drake]

Very nice sword Salvianvs The handle has a nice flow through to the blade.
Regards Brennivs

[Salvianus]

Cheers Brennivs, I can't praise Stephen enough for his work: a real artist.